“You never say bye on the phone. That’s a fact. ” I stared at my wife dumbfounded. This seemed to come out of nowhere and I was shocked. But she insisted she was right, and in my experience she normally was.
My wife had a conversation with the church secretary that day, and that’s what we were talking about. I was on the phone with the secretary and hung up, and she commented that I didn’t say bye. My wife told her that I never say goodbye, and I had always been that way. I soon realized, as usual, that my wife was right. For whatever reason I never seemed to say goodbye on the phone, and merely hung up when I was done. I started being more conscious of that, especially when trying to be professional.
It’s hard to see what we can’t see. Modern cars are equipped with sensors and warnings that tell us when we have something in our blind spot. If only our personal lives were the same! Some of our blind spots are innocuous, like the way we stir our coffee or tap our fingers. Others can be damaging in our work or relationships: we might not see that we are quick to judge, have a hard time trusting others, or try to micromanage everyone. By its nature a blind spot is something that we can’t see ourselves, but those around us can see easily. It’s especially important that ministry leaders work to be aware of anything that might hamper their work for the kingdom of God.
Most leaders would be happy to talk about their strengths, and are at least aware of their weaknesses, but our blind spots are almost impossible to see. It usually takes someone pointing them out, often after we hurt others or done damage to our careers or families. When we are leading others, no matter what the environment, we must make sure that we take the steps to both operate in our strengths and watch our blind spots too. Thankfully there are a few ways to do that
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1. Education: One of the benefits of continuing education is that it opens our minds to things we might not otherwise see. A good education helps us learn from books, lectures, conferences, and papers things that we might not be able to see without them. We have a tendency to stay in our lane and read what we want, but formal education makes us read and think about issues that might not come up in everyday life. Often this education can help us open our minds to our blind spots and realize things we couldn’t see otherwise.
2. Outsider Insight: sometimes the best way to see our blind spots is to ask others. Doing so can help us to see what we can’t otherwise. We don’t talk to others just when things go wrong, it’s for ensuring that things stay right. Talking to trust advisors, family, and friends helps us see what we are unable to do in our own lives, and can help us stay close to God. If you are brave enough, ask them what your blind spots are.
3. Scripture and Prayer: It seems too simple to say, but the truth is that regular time in scripture and prayer is one of the best ways to understand ourselves. Moreover, there is no way to do this without God’s word. James says that God’s word is like a mirror, and it helps us see ourselves in ways that are usually impossible. Time spent in the word always pays off when the Word and Spirit reveal our faults, failures, and sins. Thankfully the Bible also reveals to us the never ending graces of God and instructs how to strengthen those weak areas and return back to God.
Everyone has a blind spots. If you think you don’t, then that thought is probably one of yours! Good leaders don’t get angry at others for revealing these, and instead are grateful they can work to become better. We usually don’t see our blind spots by accident, however. It takes work, practice, and education to help us see those areas that need improving. We will never be fully perfect, but by God’s grace we can be all he intends for us to be.